By Alex Reed | champrugby.com
Zimbabwe is a resurgent force in the global rugby landscape, fuelled by Elior Champ Rugby talent.
The Sables have qualified for Rugby World Cup 2027 by winning back-to-back Rugby Africa Cups and dethroning Namibia as the continent’s second-strongest rugby power behind South Africa.
The 2025 Cup final in Kampala saw Zimbabwe knock off the Welwitschias 30-28, with Coventry’s Matthew McNab and Bruce Houston both playing key roles.
As a result of the Sables’ success, more English-based talents have been looking to get into the squad in preparation for the upcoming World Cup Down Under, including Harptury’s Dale Lemon.
Lemon was born in Zimbabwe, and while competition for places is now intense, the lock hopes to make the squad for the Sables’ upcoming international fixtures.
He said: “We moved to the UK when I was six, so I’ve spent most of my life here. In terms of my goals, it started a little while ago, around the previous World Cup. There was some talk about getting involved to help them qualify, but that didn’t happen.
“Matthew McNab, who played at Hartpury a few years ago, is a Zim boy and had already represented them. Through mutual connections, my interest was piqued, as I imagine it was for many other players who qualify for Zimbabwe once they secured their place.
“Any kind of involvement I can get in a World Cup would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For me, there’s now a big emphasis on proving myself first, not just trying to turn up as a World Cup approaches. But certainly that would be the absolute goal.”
Lemon has already had a taste of life in the Zimbabwe squad after he was named in a training camp group in June ahead of their summer internationals.
Unfortunately, the lock picked up a hamstring injury and was unavailable for selection. However, he is now well and truly on the Sables’ radar.
He said: “Everyone was incredibly welcoming. During the summer, I was hoping to get involved in the Tests but that didn’t happen.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t available, but I spent a week or two with the team, got embedded in the environment and got to know some of the lads.
“There’s a good mix of players, too. Some play over here, some in France and others in South Africa. Overall, it was a great experience.”
Zimbabwe are increasingly exporting homegrown talents to England. Prop Cleopas Kundiona and winger Edward Sigauke have both signed with PREM Rugby sides, and the Sables are only looking stronger by the day.
All the more reason then for Lemon to target his inclusion for Zimbabwe’s upcoming autumn internationals against Uruguay, Samoa and Chile.
While the lock will have to balance work, his commitments to Hartpury and his Zimbabwe dreams, the fact that both the Uruguay and Samoa tests are being held in England should help him fulfill his Zimbabwe dream.
He said: “It’s a matter of balancing [the November tests] with work, although my employers have been really supportive. If I need to take time out to play, that’s no problem.
“I also need to have conversations at Hartpury about our Champ campaign, because I’ll miss some games. The first three weeks of November include a Samoa Test in Wakefield, then Uruguay at Ealing’s ground. The third fixture, which I hope to be involved in, will be in France.
“There are some really talented players, and I think some of that talent hasn’t been fully explored yet. Eddie is probably the biggest example. I believe he signed for Harlequins off the back of those summer Tests, and I think he’ll do great things there.
“There are plenty of other good players, too many to mention, including a few already playing at a high level.”
More international rugby for Zimbabwe will come with its challenges. Can they go toe to toe with some of the more successful smaller nations in the world like Uruguay and come out on top?
Only time will tell, but Lemon believes that whatever the result, the 2027 World Cup will have a positive impact on the sport in Africa’s second-best rugby nation.
He said: “I think the biggest impact of the 2027 World Cup will be on smaller nations or those with less experience of these campaigns.
“There might not be the same level of general rugby interest in those countries as there is here, where there’s already a big fan base.
“Campaigns like the upcoming one, the summer fixtures and the World Cup itself can naturally boost overall interest in rugby.”
